Boston High School: Kyle O'Connell

Invariably, post-season play is carved in cement before the football teams from Shea High and Central Falls High commence their respective seasons. But that hasn’t been the case for the last three seasons.

From 1998-2007, Shea qualified for the playoffs (in Division II or Division III) nine times and advanced to the Super Bowl five times. And twice the Raiders rode home with the Super Bowl championship trophy.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have made five post-season appearances during the same time frame and won the Division IV championship in 2005.

Despite each team’s respective drought, both Shea coach Dino Campopiano and Central Falls’ Mo Jackson are optimistic that a reversal of fortune is realistic.

Shea missed qualifying for the 2010 playoffs by one game due to a combination of close losses, ill-timed penalties and costly turnovers. But fortunately for Campopiano, he returns a host of players from last year’s team who could (should?) help the Raiders return to their accustomed spot in the post-season.

Topping the list of key returnees are three seniors who line up at important skill positions: quarterback Adilson Silva plus running backs Jamal Tucker and Travis Gray.

Another senior, Adem Okubanjo, also will see action at running back as will junior Dennis Lloyd – who also can play linebacker and defensive back.

The Warriors, meanwhile, return eight players who saw significant minutes on each side of the ball led by All-Division senior lineman Sension Jimenez and classmate Joel Peralta, who earned All-Division honors at tight end.

Jiminez along with fellow seniors Nico Danielson and Cristian Romero give the Warriors three experienced linemen.

Central Falls also could have one of the more impressive wide receivers in Division IV in Steven Vazquez, who played quarterback and safety each of the last two years – and who is the defending state outdoor track and field champion in the high jump.

Jackson has indicated that he may alternate junior Brandon Canuto and sophomore Tyshon Ashe at quarterback – at least until one wins the position outright.

Senior Amado Gonzalez could be the Warriors’ top back when he lines up at fullback. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Warriors like Jevon Jimenez, Josh Brandon, Julien Rivera and Kenual Lopez.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Scott Barboza

Scott Barboza joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools editor/reporter in May 2010. He spent the previous three seasons working in the New England Patriots media relations department after a stint at the Taunton Daily Gazette, where he covered everything from Little League baseball to the Boston Red Sox. The Fall River native is a graduate of Emerson College. He can be reached at sbarboza@espnboston.com.

Brendan C. Hall

Brendan C. Hall joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools reporter/editor in May 2010, after four years covering high schools for The Boston Globe. The Westminster, Mass. native also served on the Globe's Bruins beat last season. Hall is a graduate of UMass Amherst. He can be reached at bhall@espnboston.com.